County mitigator falls for Mexican Mafia inmate, leads double life

By the looks of it, Jessica Lynn Mukavetz had it all together in the photo on the left. But it appears the 33-year-old Mukavetz was leading a double life, as her mug shot on the right can attest. (Source: CBS 5 News)

Mukavetz was arrested Friday for smuggling a tattoo needle and liquor into jail for her lover - murder suspect Rene Durgin, a member of the Mexican mafia who is nicknamed "Lokon." (Source: Arizona Department of Corrections)

Investigators say Mukavetz put up $5,000 to bond out Durgin's associate, Bobby Hoover, who was arrested after allegedly shot and killed the owner of an apartment complex. (Source: Maricopa County Sheriff's Office)

PHOENIX (CBS5) -

By the looks of it, Jessica Lynn Mukavetz had it all together.

She had a long-time job with Maricopa County's Office of the Legal Defender. She had pictures taken at a charity event, a football game and her wedding three years ago that show a smiling, beautiful blonde.

But it appears the 33-year-old Mukavetz was leading a double life.

She is almost unrecognizable now in a mug shot showing her with long dark hair, taken while she faces some very dark accusations.

She was arrested Friday for smuggling a tattoo needle and liquor into jail for her lover - murder suspect Rene Durgin, a member of the Mexican mafia who is nicknamed "Lokon."

A six-month-long investigation revealed Mukavetz abused her role as a mitigation specialist to meet with Durgin, reportedly helping him run the drug cartel behind bars and eventually their relationship turned romantic.

Over 2 1/2 years, those privileged visits eventually averaged about eight times a month.

They were unsupervised, and the investigation by the Phoenix Police Department's Gang Enforcement Unit and Maricopa County Sheriff's Office Violent Crimes Unit shows even though Mukavetz was already married, the pair called themselves husband and wife on Facebook, where Mukavetz went by the Mexican name Nenetl Durgin, which means "doll."

A number of recorded phone calls, often three-way conversations, revealed Durgin used the pin number of other inmates and plotted extortion, talked about a snitch being "taken care of," moving money to various accounts and giving the "green light" to "shut some mouths."

Other calls between Durgin and Mukavetz referenced their sexual relationship. There was talk of sex toys and even "having a baby."

But Mukavetz's role with the Mexican Mafia didn't stop with Durgin.

Investigators say she put up $5,000 to bond out his associate, Bobby Hoover, who goes by the nickname "Shaggy."

Last month, police said Hoover ditched his electronic monitoring device, which texts show Mukavetz knew about, and one week later, he allegedly shot and killed the owner of an apartment complex on Dunlap, landing him back behind bars.

Mukavetz is facing several charges, including organizing or managing a street gang and promoting prison contraband.